You know you're lower-middle-class when your dream vacation is one of these 7 places

Ever catch yourself scrolling through Instagram, seeing friends jet off to Santorini or the Maldives, and thinking, "Must be nice"? Meanwhile, you're over here calculating whether you can afford that long weekend in Vegas if you skip coffee for the next three months.

Look, I get it. Growing up in a working-class family, our idea of luxury was staying at a Holiday Inn instead of a Motel 6. My parents worked their tails off, but international travel? That was something rich people did.

These days, I've been fortunate enough to travel more widely (falling in love with places like Saigon and its incredible street food culture changed my perspective on everything). But I still remember that feeling of having champagne dreams on a beer budget.

The thing is, there's absolutely nothing wrong with dreaming about destinations that won't require you to sell a kidney. In fact, some of the most memorable trips I've taken have been to places that wouldn't make anyone's "luxury travel" list.

So if your dream vacation involves any of these seven places, welcome to the club. You're probably lower-middle-class, and honestly? You're in good company.

1. An all-inclusive resort in Cancun

When you mention Cancun to the upper-middle-class crowd, they might wrinkle their noses. "So touristy," they'll say, before telling you about their upcoming trip to some undiscovered beach in Thailand.

But here's what they don't understand: when you're budgeting every penny, the appeal of all-inclusive isn't just about unlimited margaritas (though that's definitely a perk). It's about knowing exactly what this trip will cost you. No surprise restaurant bills. No calculating tips in a foreign currency. No anxiety about whether you can afford that jet ski rental.

You've probably spent months comparing packages on Expedia, waiting for that perfect deal where the flight and hotel combo actually makes sense. And when you finally book it? You screenshot that confirmation email like it's a winning lottery ticket.

The peace of mind that comes with prepaid everything? That's the real luxury for us.

2. Las Vegas (but staying downtown, not on the Strip)

Vegas is the ultimate lower-middle-class dream because it sells you the fantasy of wealth without actually requiring it. Where else can you walk through replicas of Paris, Venice, and New York in a single afternoon?

But while the rich kids are dropping $500 a night at the Wynn, you know the real secret: downtown Vegas. The Fremont Street Experience gives you all the lights and excitement at a fraction of the cost. Plus, the table minimums are lower, the drinks are cheaper, and honestly, the people-watching is way better.

In my book "Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego", I talk about finding joy in simplicity. Vegas might seem like the opposite of that, but there's something beautifully honest about a place that promises you escape from your everyday life, even if just for a weekend.

You've probably already started a Vegas fund jar in your kitchen, dropping in fives and tens when you can spare them.

3. A Disney World package deal

Disney World occupies this weird space in American culture where it's simultaneously seen as a children's destination and a massive financial undertaking. For lower-middle-class families, it's often a once-in-a-lifetime trip that takes years of planning.

You know you're lower-middle-class when you've spent countless hours on Disney forums learning all the hacks. Which restaurants let you see fireworks without park admission? How can you maximize FastPass selections? Is the dining plan actually worth it? (Spoiler: usually not, but you'll still consider it for the convenience factor.)

The truth is, that Disney trip represents something bigger than just meeting Mickey Mouse. It's about giving your kids something you might not have had. It's about creating those magical memories that everyone else seems to take for granted.

I remember working in that warehouse in Melbourne, shifting TVs and thinking about how different life paths could be. Some of my coworkers were saving for years just to take their kids to Movie World on the Gold Coast.

4. A cruise to the Bahamas

Cruises are the ultimate lower-middle-class vacation hack. Transportation, accommodation, food, and entertainment all rolled into one price? Sign me up.

Sure, the wealthy folks are chartering yachts in the Mediterranean, but you've discovered that a 4-day Carnival cruise to Nassau gives you that "international travel" check mark without breaking the bank. Plus, you can tell people you've "been to the Bahamas," even if you only spent six hours there.

You've mastered the art of cruise economics. Bring your own bottle of wine (wrapped in your luggage), skip the specialty restaurants, and avoid the casino and spa. The free buffet and nightly shows? That's entertainment enough.

There's something oddly liberating about being on a ship where your biggest decision is whether to hit the pool deck or catch the afternoon trivia game.

5. Myrtle Beach or Panama City Beach

When coastal elites talk about beach vacations, they mean the Hamptons or Martha's Vineyard. When you talk about beach vacations, you mean Myrtle Beach, Panama City, or if you're really splurging, maybe Outer Banks.

These beaches have everything you need: sand, waves, and seafood restaurants with early bird specials. Sure, they're packed with other families just like yours, but that's part of the charm. No one's judging your cooler full of sandwiches and Capri Suns.

You've probably got that one beach condo complex bookmarked where you stayed five years ago. The one with the slightly outdated furniture but a perfect ocean view. You check their rates obsessively, waiting for that sweet spot in late September when prices drop but the weather's still good.

6. Branson, Missouri

Branson is like Vegas for people who think Vegas is too sinful. It's wholesome entertainment at affordable prices, and that's exactly what makes it perfect.

The shows might feature performers who were famous in 1987, but you don't care. You're getting live entertainment, decent hotels, and family-friendly fun without the coastal markup. Plus, Silver Dollar City is basically Disney World for people who appreciate a good bargain.

I write a lot about finding meaning in unexpected places in "Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego", and places like Branson remind us that joy doesn't require a premium price tag. Sometimes the best memories come from the simplest pleasures.

7. Yellowstone (but camping, not glamping)

National parks are the great equalizer in American tourism. The entrance fee is the same whether you're a millionaire or living paycheck to paycheck. But you know you're lower-middle-class when your Yellowstone dreams involve a Coleman tent and a camp stove, not the Old Faithful Inn.

You've already mapped out which campgrounds you can actually snag a spot at (goodbye, Canyon Campground, booked within minutes). You know that bringing your own food saves hundreds of dollars, and you've accepted that showering every day is optional when you're experiencing natural wonders.

The camping gear might be from Walmart, not REI, but Old Faithful doesn't care about your budget. Neither do the bison.

Final words

Here's what I've learned from both sides of the economic divide: the anticipation and planning of these trips often bring as much joy as the trips themselves. When you have to save for months for a vacation, you value every moment of it differently.

Those Instagram influencers in Bali might get more likes, but do they get the same thrill from finding a Groupon deal that makes their dream vacation suddenly affordable? Do they know the satisfaction of finally taking that trip you've been planning for two years?

Being lower-middle-class means your dreams might be different, but they're no less valid. These seven destinations might not be exotic or exclusive, but they represent something powerful: the determination to create memorable experiences despite financial constraints.

So keep dropping those fives into your vacation jar. Keep searching for those package deals. Keep dreaming about that all-inclusive resort where you don't have to check your bank balance before ordering another piña colada.

Your dream vacation might not impress the travel snobs, but it'll mean everything to you. And honestly? That's all that matters.